Workplace empowerment and nurses’ job satisfaction: a systematic
literature review
Aims This systematic review aimed to synthesize and analyse the studies that
examined the relationship between nurse empowerment and job satisfaction in
the nursing work environment.
Background Job dissatisfaction in the nursing work environment is the primary
cause of nursing turnover. Job satisfaction has been linked to a high level of
empowerment in nurses.
Evaluation We reviewed 596 articles, written in English, that examined the
relationship between structural empowerment, psychological empowerment and
nurses’ job satisfaction. Twelve articles were included in the final analysis.
Key issue A significant positive relation was found between empowerment and
nurses’ job satisfaction. Structural empowerment and psychological empowerment
affect job satisfaction differently.
Conclusion A satisfying work environment for nurses is related to structural and
psychological empowerment in the workplace. Structural empowerment is an
antecedent of psychological empowerment and this relationship culminates in
positive retention outcomes such as job satisfaction.
Implication for nursing management This review could be useful for guiding
leaders’ strategies to develop and maintain an empowering work environment
that enhances job satisfaction. This could lead to nurse retention and positive
organisational and patient outcomes.
Keywords: job satisfaction, psychological empowerment, review, structural
empowerment, workplace